Information distribution system



June 15', 1943. M. L. SANDERS INFURMATION DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM -3 Sheeis-Sheet 1 Filed April 9, I942 OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO0000+ INVENTOR Macfi'jb ATTORNEY June 15,1943.

M. L. SANDERS INFORMATION DISTRIBUTION- SYSTEM Fiied April 9, 1942v .3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

INVENTOR Macfiflhd'a r25 AIV'TORNEY June 15, 1943.

M. 1.. SANDERS INFORMATION DI STRIBUTION SYSTEM Filed April 9, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented June 15; 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT 1 OFFICE 2,321,944 INFORMATION DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM Mack L. Sanders, Brooklyn, N. Y. Application April 9, 1942, Serial No. 438,349

-4 Claims.

The present invention relates to an information distribution system and it particularly relates to a wired semi-automatic or fully automatic or putting in a separate call for each one of these 1 items for information.

For example, it is desirable that a subscriber or owner of telephone or other wired facilities be able to communicate with a central source by wire over his telephone or other wired facilities and obtain several pieces of desirable information in rapid sequence without substantial delay in a semi-automatic or fully automatic manner upon the payment-of one fee or putting in one call.

It is, therefore, among the objects of the present invention to provide a simple, reliable information distribution system which will enable a subscriber for a small fee, usually associated with one call, to obtain several pieces of available information in rapid sequence and succession upon putting through such call, which system will be able to make use of readily available communication facilities.

Another object is to provide an improved information distribution system which will enable rapidly changing information about the news, sporting results, stock market quotations and so forth, to be supplied to subscribers upon the payment of a single fee or by putting one call over available wire facilities.

Still further objects and advantages will appear from the more detailed description set forth below, it being understood, howeventhat this more detailed description is given by way of illustration, since various changes therein may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention,

Although not restricted thereto the present invention contemplates supplying information over private or leased telephone wires so that a subscriber may, by putting in a single call from a private telephone or pay station, obtain information about several subjects.

For example, by dialling different numbers different types of information may be obtained; or this may be done by first dialling a number and then dialling two or three other numbers after.

connection is made to the information center, depending upon the number and characters of items of information desired.

Preferably, the system may function semi-automatically by having the subscriber tell the attendant at the central ofllce what pieces of information are desired, and such attendant may then set the central transmitting apparatus to transmit such information, desirably from a central sending source utilizing metallic tapes which are continuously operated.

There may be, for example, 10 pieces of information, each one on a separate tape or on different tracks positioned side by side on a single tape, and as soon as the tape reaches its zero point the information will then be transmitted in the desired sequence.

Ordinarily, a subscriber for a single fee will be limited to three pieces of information and desirably these will be transmitted to him in the sequence in which they are positioned on the tape machine, rather than the sequence in which they are dialled or requested.

If any intervals are necessary, there may be provided a source of a buzzing or clicking sound to come on the circuit or incidental music may be employed, until the sequence of information items is ready for transmission.

Referring to the drawings which show one embodiment of the construction according to the present invention, but to which the present invention is by no means restricted, since many changes and variations may be made, all within the scope thereof,

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a panel board at the central information station, partly broken away to show the construction of the control mechanism behind the board;

Fig. '2 is a transverse sectional view upon the line-2-2 of Fig. 1, upon an enlarged scale as compared to Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a top perspective view of a portion of the metallic tape control mechanism;

V Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic layout of the circuit system utilized in connection with the control mechanism of Fig. 1;

Figs. 5 and 6 are alternative circuit arrangements which may be used in lieu of the arrangement shown in Fig. 4.

Referring to Fig. 1, the panel board I0 is provided with two vertical rows of lights H and 12 positioned in side-by-side relationship, one-to enable ready selection of items to be transmitted and the other to indicate the selection being transmitted. f f

As indicated, the selector bank of lights II and the indicator bank of lights I2 are provided with 30 lights arranged at one side of the panel board I0, but if desired a larger number of lights could be utilized and different methods of arrangement could be employed.

In back of the instrument board I is a casing I3 which is provided with a starting switch I4 having the push button I5. Within this casing is a step relay II which is mounted by the base l8 and the screws or bolts I9 upon the fioor of the. casing I3. This relay, which is actuated until the circuit is closed, is connected to the upwardly extending arm 2| which is pivotally mounted at 22 to the actuating pawl 23 having the spring 24. The actuating pawl 23 actuates a ratchet 25 and is provided with a detent pawl 26 which prevents reverse motion.

As shown best in Fig. 2, the ratchet 25 has a stud 21, which is fixed by the set screw 28 to the shaft 29. The shaft 29'extends through the opening 30 in the stationary contact plate 3|, and it extends rearwardly to the back 32 of the housing I3, where it is provided with a bearing member 33 having the hub 34.

On the shaft 29 is positioned the sleeves 36, 31 and 38 carrying the outwardly extending flange portions 40, M and 42 which carry the contact rings 44, 45 and 46. These contact rings contact with the stationary brushes 48, 49 and 50 which are mounted at 52, 53 and 54 upon the insulating bar 55 attached by the bracket 56 to the rear wall 32. Fixedly mounted on'the rear of the disc 40, 4| and 42 are the finger contacts 58, 59, 60, the ends of which contact with the circular rows of contact buttons 62, 63 and 64. These contact buttons are mounted upon the contact plate 3i and are provided with the connections 66, 61 and 66, the arrangement of which is more fully shown in Fig. 4.

As shown upon Fig. 4, there are thirty buttons 62, S3 and 64 in four concentric rows, plus an additional set at the oil position 69.

The row of buttons 64 forms part of the step relay selector circuit.

The row of buttons 63 controls the circuit of the position indicator.

The row of buttons 62 controls the voice current circuit.

At the right of the casing is provided the tape machine l0 which has a plurality of metallic recording tapes lI, I2, I3, '14, I5, I6 which, as shown, are separate tapes but which, if desired, could be one wide tape with a plurality of recording tracks positioned side-by-side. These tapes run continuously on drums I8 and III which have trunnions provided with bearings 80, 8| and 82 mounted at 83, 84 and 85 upon the walls of the casing I3. The tapes are perforated as indicated at 86 in Fig. 3, and these perforations engage teeth 81 on the drums I8 and I9.

The shaft of the drum I9 carries the bevel gear 88 which meshes with the bevel gear 89 and is driven by the motor 90. The motor 90 continuously drives and keeps the tapes II, I2, 13, I4, I5 and I6 moving each with its information relating to sports, current events, racing results, foot-ball scores, stock market quotations, etc., each of which tapes may carry a message of 5, 10, 15 or even 30 seconds duration, as the case may be.

In the circuit arrangement as shown in Fig. 4,

has a connection at I02 to the manual starting switch I4. From the chart side of the manual starting switch I4 extends the electrical connection I03 to the contact arm 50 which contacts the contact ring 46. From the contact rin 46.

this circuit extends through the contact finger 60 to the electrical connections I04 and I05 to one of the row of contact buttons I06, through the contact element I01 of the contact bar I08 to the negative side of the circuit at I09.

The second circuit extends from I00 through. the electrical connection H0, through one of the I lights III of the bank II. Then the circuit extends at H2 to one'oi' the contact buttons on the row H3 and then back through the contact element I 01 and the bar I08 to the negative side of the line at I09. The other circuit extends from the positive side of the line I00 through the electrical connection I 0|, the electrical connection H4, the contact finger 49, the contact ring 45, the finger contact 53, the connector H5, one of the lights H6 of the bank I2, and electrical connections I", I05, I06, I01 and I08 back to the negative side of the line at I09.

The fourth circuit extends from the positive side of the line I00 through the conductor IN, the conductors H8, the contact finger 48, the ring 44, the finger contact 58, the electrical connection H9 to the pick-up coil I20, electrical connection I2I, the amplifier I22, the telephone or loud speaker I23 and the electrical connections I24 and I25 back to the negative side of the line a I09.

As shown at the lower right hand corner of Fig. 4, the pick-up coil I20 is provided with an armature member I26 which is in electrical cooperative relationship with one of the tapes, say, the tape II which carries the sound track and rotates continuously on the drum I8. There is also provided a recording coil I2'I (see Figs. 1 and 4) provided with an armature I28. The recording coil I21 is in the circuit including the electrical connections I29 from the positive side of the line at I30, I3I, to the sound track selector I32. The sound track selector I32 has an arm I33 which may be moved to any of the positions I34 when it is desired to change the information or recording upon any one of the six tapes or six sound tracks. By manually turning the arm I33 to the corresponding tape member, the message or.information on such tape may be wiped oif and a new message put upon the tape. The circuit also includes the electrical connection I35, the amplifier I36 and microphone I31 with the connection I38 to the negative side of the line I39.

tape, the tape is selected from the dial I32 and then the information is placed upon the tape through the microphone I31 and the amplifier I36.

Connected between the lines I02 and I03 is also the micro-switch I40 with the electrical connections I4I, I42. This micro-switch moves the relay one step at a time.

Briefly, the system shown in Figs. 1 to 4 employs pre-recorded messages, preferably carried by the steel tapes II to I6, all inclusive, which may be played back into a telephone line, public address system or any other circuit through the device I23.

The selection of the particular tape which it is desired to hear is made by means of the sliding selector switch I 0I-I 08. Each position of the selector switch I0'II08 is connected to a position of the arms 58, 5'9 and 60, into which posi- When a new message is to be put upon the contact point.

ously, the position 201 being an ofiposition which tions m and 2| I, to the contact head I.

tion the arms will be placed by the step-by-step relay I1.

The operation of the switch I01-I08 lights a pilot light III in the bank II, indicating the particular member chosen, and it also opens the circuit of the step relay I1.

The step relay I1 then operates until the arms 58, 59 and 60 have been moved to the contact button 62, 63 or 64, which corresponds to the particular contact button I06 which has been contacted by the element I01 of the switch I01 I08. This will result in the message or recording from one tape being transmitted through the amplifier I22 and the telephone I23 to a telephone line, public address system or any other circuit.

At the end of the transmission, the microswitch I40 once more operates the step relay and then the relay will again be actuated until it closes a circuit through the next button I06 which has been selected. If only two selections are to be played, the relay I1 goes to rest or oiT position, where it remains until the starting switch I4 is again actuated. When the relay I1 is in rest position or ofi position, the micro-switch is disconnected so that no impulses of that circuit can start the relay in operation again.

It is only after the relay I1 has been taken off rest or off position by the starting switch that the micro-switch I40 will function again.

The lamps H6 in the bank I2 show the tape which is being utilized for transmission of a message at any moment.

The fourth circuit mentioned above through the amplifier I22 conducts the voice current from any one of the tape machine pick-up coils I20 into the small pre-amplifier I22, which amplifies the signal or voice sufficiently so that it may be transmitted at I23 directly into a telephone line.

If more than one step relay I1 is employed, the last position of each preceding relay should switch or turn on the indicated direct current relay into the following relay so that the next relay will be rotating whenever the micro-switch I40 has gone through one complete cycle.-

Then, when the last relayhas completed its cycle, it switches the first relay I1 back to the rest or oif position, at which it remains until a new selection ofmessages to be played is made. In recording upon any one of the tapes through the microphone I31, a clock may be provided in front of this recording position so that the announcer or recorder can load the tape with as many messages as time will permit, that is, the time for a complete cycle of each of the tapes. It is noted that all of the tapes will begin and finish at thesame time, or willbe in synchronism with one another.

It is also possible, however, to have tapes of different lengths at difierent positions, one of the tapes, for example, recording for 45 seconds, another for and another for 15, with suitable changes in the rest of the system.

In the circuit arrangement shown in Fig. 5, there is shown a selector switch 200 with the contact head 20I which contacts one of the buttons 202 of the row of buttons 203. The button 202 is connected by the circuit connection 204 to the contact point 205, each of the buttons 202 of the row 203 being connected to a difierent The arm 206 rotates continuisconnected through the circuit connection 208, the starting switch 209 and the circuit connec- The 226 with the armatures 221, these coils beingv each connected through a conduit connection 228 and a spring finger 229 to a ring 230 connected to an arm 23I. The arm 23I rotates over the various ,Iouttons 232 which are connected to the negative side of the line through the connections 233, 234. The other side of the tape machines 221 is connected by the connections 236, 231 to the loud speaker 230 and the connection 239 back to the positive side of the line at 240. The battery 24I is connected at its negative side to the micro-switch 242 and its positive side 243 to the circuits 242 and 245 to the junction point (246 on the armature 2I5.

There is also the connection from the junctionpoint 241 and the circuit 240 to the armature 240 having the contact point 250 and the connection 25I to the coil 252 of the relay 253. The coil 252 connects at the junction point 254 with the connections 255 and 256 from the other side of the micro-switch 244 which lead to the junction point 251 and the connection 220 to the negative side of the battery 22I.

According to the circuit arrangement shown in Fig. 5, any desired number of items of information may be sent out from the tape machines 226 by the automatic step relay 2I6.

Two separate sources of power are required, one at 234240 for the loud speaker 238, and another storage battery source at MI and 24I for operation of the relays 2I6 and 253. The remote relay 2 I6, which may be positioned Where the information is to be heard, is associated with a stalling switch 209, which may be manually or coin operated.

The number of selections to be made is controlled by the switch 200-201, and the relay 20I will be set in actuation only when the starting switch 209 is closed. The voice selector relay 252, 253 is shunted directly across the remote stepping relay 2I6 so that the latter relay 2I6 will follow every impulse of the relay 252.

The voiceselector relay 252 is connected to the micro-switch 242 associated with the tap machines 225 in such a Way as to permit the microswitch to advance both relays one point after each seiection has been played.

In rejspect to the system shown in Fig. 6, there is shown a control indicator relay dial 300, having the contact points 30I and the rotatable arm 302 to contact any one of said points 30I. There are shown four step relays 304, 305, 306, 301 and the three dials 308, 309 and 3I0 each being provided with a plurality of contact points 3I I, 3I2 and 3I3 and a sliding contact at 3I4, 3I5, 3I6. These contactors 3I4, 3I5 and 3I6 are designed to pick out the appropriate contact 3! I, 3 I2 and 3I3.

The rotatable arms 3", 3I8 and 3I9 of each dial are provided with electrical connections 3I8, 3I9 and 320 to one side of the relay coils 305, 300 and 301.

The arms 3", 3 I8 and 3I9 are shown in of! position where they contact one of the buttons 32I, 322 and 323, which leads to contact wires 324, 325

and 326 to cooperate with a coin control indicator 321, 328 and 329. The coin control 321, 328 and 329 is also designed to work with the other side of the circuit 330, 33I and 332. The battery 333 is connected at its positive side to the solenoid 304 and at its negative side by the connections 335, 336 and 331 to the solenoids 305, 306 and 301. In the system shown in Fig. 6, the loud speaker (not shown) and the selecting mechanism 3, 3I2, 3I3, 3, 3I5 and 3I6 is remotely controlled. As shown, there are three series (although there may be more or less) of buttons or contact points 3I I, 3I2 and 3I3 cooperating with the adjustable switches 3H, 3I5 and 3I6.

At a central booth there is located the main central indicator control relay, which may be provided with necessary indicator lines as shown in Fig. 1, for indicating the position of the numbers which have been chosen.

In operation, a selection is made on the first row of push buttons 3| I, and the starting switch is then pushed through the coin inserted, as indicated, to close the circuit 324-330.

The relay 305 will then operate the arm 3I1 to correspond to the button 3| I, which has been set in the circuit. The main relay 304 at the central station will also follow to the same point.

The operator then can read off the number or numbers, mark them down and then by pushing the micro-switch can make the remote relays 305, 306 and 301 climb to the next selected position.

At the central station adjacent the dial 300 a light (not shown, but similar to that shown in Fig. 1) will indicate the position at which the remote relay, say at 306, has stopped and, after the operator has recorded that number, the microswitch (not shown, but of the same construction and operation as shown at I40 in Fig. 1) can be operated to make both relays advance the third selected number.

If no more than three selections are permitted, a limiting device (not shown) may be incorporated in the selector circuits, as shownto the right of the dot and dash line in Fig. 6.- Thereupon the first relay 304 will go back into off or zero position. Until that time the light will appear on all other push button circuits so that a new selection may be made and more coins inserted. It will be noted that in the arrangement of Fig. 6, the same functioning takes place no matter what selections are made, since all selector circuits are connected in parallel.

The present application contains matter taken from application Ser. No. 301,326, filed October 26, 1939..

Although wired systems are preferred the remote selector station may be connected to the central information distribution source by radio or without wired communication.

The detailed construction and operation of the micro-switch and the tape machines has not been described since it forms no part of the present invention and since these constructions are fully shown in prior patents such as:

If desired single messages or selected messages as to a single stock market quotation may also be obtained at frequent or repeated intervals.

The present invention may also be particularly useful in transmitting air raid instructions or information to plurality of control stations or as a general broadcast even without selection by a subscriber or customer at a remote selector station.

These instructions or the information, which may be continuously broadcast may be changed at will as the alarm or emergency progresses or is over.

These changes may be made by the system shown at I26 to I29 of Fig. 4.

If desired, instead of requiring a subscription or payment for each item or succession of items of information, a pamphlet or magazine or newspaper may be distributed for a small fee and this would give numbers to be dialed to obtain a desired number or succession of items of information so that anyone having the pamphlet will be able to dial for the desired information.

It will be understood that many changes could be made in the particular features of information distribution system as shown, and many apparently widely different embodiments of this invention could be made without departing from the scope thereof; it is intended that all matter contained in the above description shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. An information distribution system comprising a remote selector and a central information source, connections therebetween for transmitting a selection from the selector to the source and then a plurality of sound tracks, means for operating said sound tracks continuously and means for causing said sound tracks to transmit information successively to the selector.

2. An information distribution system comprising a remote selector and a central information source, connections therebetween for transmitting a selection from the selector to the source and then a plurality of sound tracks, means for operating said sound tracks continuously and means for causing said sound tracks to transmit information successively to the selector, said sound tracks consisting of magnetic tapes, continuously rotating drums carrying said tapes and magnetic means to pick up messages from and deposit new messages on said tapes.

3. An information distribution system comprising a remote selector and a central information source, connections therebetween for transmitting a selection from the selector to the source and then a plurality of sound tracks, means for operating said sound tracks continuously and means for causing said sound tracks to transmit information successively to the selector, said source also including a selector system, an indicator system, a dial with concentric rows of contacts, a plurality of spaced contact arms, a step by step relay for advancing said arms and circuit connections between said selector system, indicator system, said rows of contacts and said contact arms.

4. An information distribution system comprising a remote selector and a central information source, connections therebetween for transmitting a selection from the selector to the source and then a plurality of sound tracks, means for operating said sound tracks continuously and means for causing said sound tracks to transmit information successively to the selector, a selector means at the central station to select a sound track and a relay contact to connect said sound track to be transmitted to said remote selector.

MACK L. SANDERS. 

